Quote Originally Posted by docdosco View Post
I brought up this subject on the thread originally, as I had found some tunes (in my short time with the ireal program) that I didn't agree with on the changes. Having used the Great Gig Book (Blue Book) for a quite a while now, I am really happy with the changes on almost all the tunes... mainly because they are good changes. I had found some tunes here that even though I had downloaded a bunch of collections, and had 3 versions of some tunes, on these tunes the changes did not knock me out. (IMO of course)

An example is Beginning To See The Light. The GGB changes are just better to my ear than the charts I found here. Someone may have uploaded a better version here, but I didn't get it in my download of collections.

I can re-write that chart for myself for gigs. Not a big deal. But, it would be nice if a GGB collection were started in the forum and people could add charts to the collection if they have made a fresh chart using the GGB as the source. Some tunes, like the Mexican Hat Dance and ethnic songs like it are not of interest to me, so there are GGB selections that wouldn't be missed if they were left out.

However, there are many versions in the GGB that are superior (in various degrees) to other books. The point was made that fake books, in general, don't use the hippest changes. While true, there is nothing that precludes the charts here from being the best possible. Of course, what is the 'best' chart is subjective. I can't bitch at having hundreds and hundreds of jazz and standard charts already written out and available at the click of a mouse, even if I have to flavor some to my taste. But.... if there were a GGB thread where people could upload charts based on the GGB, I would certainly find that useful.

I guess the rub will be, are there enough people here interested in a GGB collection, and would people contribute enough to make it worth while. It would take some time and effort from someone to monitor the collection and make it into a cohesive book ready for download, without having bits and pieces scattered here and there. I have noticed that there are many lovely charts buried in the dark corridors and musty corners of this forum. (it is halloween after all). To make a collection of 'prefered changes' is not going to fly with everyone. As I indicated, my 'cool changes' may not be that to someone else. However, a collection of charts with changes found in the GGB would be a welcome addition to the many wonderful versions that are available here. : )

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Doc Dosco
The GGB looks just like The Ultimate Fake Book and The Best Fake Book. They're all vanilla chords. Experienced pianists wouldn't play those vanilla chords. The best chords are in the three New Real Books and The Standards Real Book. Check out some of the reharms by Engelbach (excuse the spelling), myself (Raymb1) and a few others on this forum. If you're a jazz player, the chords in the GGB are standard vanilla chords. Look for Stella By Starlight in the forum. You'll never find those chords in any fake book. Many of the songs included in the iReal downloads have better chords than the GGB.